Googong Area today (16/4/18)

[Ryu Callaway <>]

Extremely productive trip today incorporating Royalla Swansonia Reserve, Burra, Googong South (London Bridge Homestead, Tin Hut Dam) and Williamsdale.

The highlight of the day was a Black Kite at the Little Burra Estate Dam (Cnr Old Cooma Rd and Cooke Dr). This would be the first of many raptors for the day, of which we totalled 8 species (Others were Black-shouldered Kite (pair), Collared Sparrowhawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle (up to 3 seen many times), Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon (x2), Nankeen Kestrel (x2), Australian Hobby).

At London Bridge homestead, we had numerous nice birds though not unexpected for the site, including 3 Southern Whiteface, 3 Hooded Robins, and a Brown Treecreeper heard but not seen.

At Tin Hut Dam, the water level was quite low with relatively few waterbirds, but among them another surprise - a pair of Australian Shelduck. According to ebird there are few records outside the Bungendore/Hoskinstown area with no records for Googong.

Lists will be entered on ebird. Well worth a day trip to that area.

Ryu